Farmhouse Table for Military Family

Submitted by Smokeydog on Tue, 04/15/2014 - 08:49

My niece's husband is career military and they move a lot. She saw the farmhouse table on Ana's site and asked if I would build her one that could be disassembled for moving and have extensions for large group gatherings. Challenge accepted!

In order to take the table apart, I used 2 - 6 inch long lag screws at the top of each leg that screwed into the 2x4 supports for the table top. Due to the weight of the table, it is advised to turn the table upside-down when removing the screws or assembling the table. Next, I used 3 inch lag screws to secure the beam under the table. Again, the lag screws are easily removed for moving.

For the leaf inserts, I utilized a dowel jig so the leaf extensions could be easily inserted and removed on the sliders that support the breadboard ends. (It is necessary to drill the holes out a little larger that accept the leaf dowels. If this is not done the leafs will fit too tight and it is difficult, if not darn impossible, to remove them.) This was advantageous for two reasons ... (1.) The leafs are easily installed and removed; and (2.) No need for leaf extensions that have their own 2 x 4 sliders. This reduces storage space for the extensions and eliminates the slider insert hole cutouts on each end of the table because the slider is never removed.

The table, when disassembled, is in (8) sections:

(2) table leg sections
(1) table top
(1) Main beam from under the table
(2) Leaf extensions
(2) Breadboard ends attached to 2x4 sliders

My niece is simply thrilled with the table.

Estimated Cost
$295.50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Min-Wax Dark Walnut Stain and Satin Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

staciemay

Tue, 04/15/2014 - 10:39

This table was built for me! I like it for several reasons, but the main reason is that because we are a military family. Therefore, we move every two to three years and our furniture always seems to break. I have always wanted a solid farm house table, but not only are they expensive, they are hard to manuver and move. My uncle customized this table so that it would serve three important purposes for our family. One, it extends with two easily storable extensions, two, it comes apart, giving us the opportunity to move with it; and three, it is incredibly sturdy, therefore, making our next move a guaranteed success. So excited to have everything I want in one table for 1/4 of the price.

CSaintD

Fri, 04/25/2014 - 07:59

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful gift. I am retired military myself, so I know how hard it is to move so often. I appreciate your sharing with us how to make it so it can be disassembled. I am going to try to build this with your instructions.

Smokeydog

Fri, 04/25/2014 - 18:50

If you have any questions on how we put it together let me know. I'd be happy to help.

Smokeydog ( aka: Uncle Tim )